Miller leads Martin in Lubbock campaign funding

Published: Saturday, May 03, 2008

ERIC FINLEY

Mayor David Miller raised more than $68,000 in April to surge past challenger Tom Martin in the money race with a week to go before the election, according to campaign finance reports filed with the city Friday.

Miller's haul gives him a total of $131,200 raised since July, compared with Martin's $120,100. Martin, a former city councilman, raised about $34,000 in April.

"I believe it means they believe in our campaign and believe in me," Miller said Friday after thanking his supporters. "This campaign has turned to one issue - integrity."

The mayor also had more money remaining than Martin to prepare for the final week and a possible runoff.

According to the previous campaign finance report submitted April 10, Martin had collected $62,000 compared to Miller's $52,000.

In the City Council races, District 2 incumbent Floyd Price raised more than $7,000 to outpace challenger Armando Gonzales. Paul R. Beane raised $18,000 to continue the money lead over other candidates in District 4.

The reports tabulated contributions and expenditures for the candidates since April 1 and were due Friday, the eighth day before the election, in accordance with state law.

Martin has so far outspent Miller $90,000 to $65,000 and has been campaigning since October. He thanked his supporters on Friday and said he was pleased with the financial situation of his campaign. He has about $19,000 remaining, according to his report.

Miller had about $56,000 left but said his campaign had bills coming due that had not been paid at the time of the report. He also said he planned a round of new advertising in the final week. An ad debuting Thursday featured a former city employee who said Martin once placed a gun on a table during a closed door meeting to try and intimidate her.

Martin said the story was untrue.

Miller promised more ads in the next week.

"We'll finish with a very strong message of the sharp contrast between the candidates," he said.

Miller raised more money two years ago when he defeated Martin for mayor.